The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-26
THE PRISONERS OF THE SOU
DAN

THE PRISONERS OF THE SOU
DAN.
When General Gordon fell at Khar-
toom, it was reported that an Egyptian
army far up the Nile, commanded by
Emin Bey, continued faithful to the Khe-
dive. Since then only vague rumors have
reached us; and it was generally believed
that Emin Bey and his army had long
since been overcome by the Mahdi, his
followers dispersed, and he himself kill
ed. Within the last month, news has
been received that Emin Bey is alive, and,
though neglected and forgotten by the
Khedive and his English rulers, is still
fighting under the Egyptian flag against
the followers of the Mahdi.
About ten years ago, Emin Bey, then
Dr. Schwitzler, Of Silesia, in Austria
went to Egypt and entered the service of
the Khedive. He soon acquired the con-
fidence of General Gordon, his command
ing officer, and was rapidly promoted,
and sent on several important missions
into the southern part of Egypt. AS a
reward for his ability and success, he
was made Emin Bsy. When General
Gordon was sent to the Soudan, Emin
Bey was given command of the upper
Nile, with headquarters at Lado, near
Gondokoro. Here he was stationed when
General Gordon was sent the second
time to the Soudan. General Gordon
was soon after besieged in Khartoom by
the Mahdi, and his communication both
with upper and lower Egypt cut off,
Emin Boy gradually retreated with his
soldiers and their families up the Nile,
fighting as he retired, and defeating the
Mahdi in several battles, until he made a
permanent settlement at Wadelai, on the
Nile (not far from Lake Albert, at the ex-
treme southern limit OF Egypt. His people
are negroes from Nubia and the Souaan
For the last two or three years they have
supported themselves by the cultivation
of the land. "All the stations are busily
employed in agricultural work, and at
each one considerable cotton plantations
are dong WE'LL This is all the more
important for us, as it enables us, to a
certain extent, to cover our nakedness. /
have also introduced the shoemaker's art
and We make our own SOAP" writes Emin
Bey.
Emin Bey has but two Europeans with
him,-Dr. Junker and Captain Cassati
Dr.. Junker is Russian scientist, and, like
his friend and former companion, DR..
Schweinfurth, is a distinguished botan-
list.
1t is understood that Stanley has been
summoned to Europe to take command
of an expedition fitted out by the Egyp-
tian government, under the advice OF
England, for the relief of Emin Bey.
The need of Emin Bey for relief ap-
pears from his letter, dated Dec. 81, 1885
received in England Oct. g. This letter
brings the only news received from him
in three years. He writes that he almost
despairs of receiving succor from the
north, for he has heard nothing from
Cairo or England since April, 1888; that
he is without stores and clothing; and
that his ammunition is nearly exhaust
ed. With the enthusiasm of scientific
man, he adds that he has worked with
ardor at the formation of grand collec-
ton, chiefly geological, including skulls
Of the different tribes of negroes and of
the chimpanzee, skeletons of various ami
mails and two of the Aka of different
sexes; and he will endeavOr to complete it
during his sojourn there. He promises
to keep his post as long as possible, trust
ing that, if Egypt still governs the Sou
dan, she must send relief in time If the
Soudan has been abandoned, he will
move southwark with his troops, until he
Is relieved by the government or has
placed his people in safety. with the
exception OF the human skulls, l have
saved all my collection, and will not
abandon them until the last. Formerly
received two or three times year let
tiers and newspapers. Alasl it is so no
longer. L strive by every means to sus-
tain my own courage and that of my peo-
pie. God has certainly protected and
sustained me hitherto, and am conf
dent, that with his help, all will go well
in the future"
He adds: Il have secured for - a
collection of shells from Lake Albert, |
which will send by the missionaries at |
Uganda, and which hope will reach him
BEY."